# data[].attributes.body
(Article) Long after school is done and long after I've started my practice I want to establish my firm.

*link is there but it doesn't show it*

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Branigan Robertson

Starting a law firm is not for the faint of heart. Doing it right out of law school is downright insane (at least that's what the naysayers would have you believe).

But I did it in a difficult economy with a difficult fee structure (contingency) and my practice is thriving. If you want to start your own firm, you can do it - and I'm going to tell you how.

Here is a list of the essential things you must do to succeed in starting your own law firm right out of school:

1. Ignore the People Who Say You Can't

The reason why this is number one is that 98% of your law school classmates, lawyers, and professors honestly believe you can't. Ignore them. Many attorneys are pessimists by nature and love to tell people what they can't do. They never tried it so they don't know. If you believe them, there is zero chance you'll succeed. I've done it, and I know you can do it, too.

2. Plan Ahead

I spent the majority of law school obsessing about how to start a firm right out of school. I wrote a detailed business and marketing plan. Then I had lawyers who have started their own firm critique it. This was sobering, but extremely helpful. Now, just to be clear, I didn't cut corners on the planning stage. I had full-blown financials, market analysis, mission statement, competitive advantages, etc. I knew how much it would cost to start a firm in my area of law (plaintiff's employment law), and I knew how much money I needed to earn in my first year to break even.

You also need to save up a small nest egg. Depending on the area of law you choose (see below), it may be 4-6 months before you start seeing any revenues. Find out how long you can work without making a penny before you go broke. That should give you an idea of how quickly you need to make things happen.

3. Pick Only One Area of Law

This is critical. Don't even try to start a "whatever comes in the door" law firm. Those days are long gone. Pick one or two (max) areas of law and focus your practice exclusively on those select areas. If you try to do everything you won't get good at anything. You'll also look like a competitor to everyone, making it extremely difficult to build a referral network (see below). It also goes without saying that you should try to get some experience in that area of law. I clerked in employment law at two different firms before I graduated. This is how I got exposure to the key employment statutes and case law. This gave me a huge amount of confidence before I took the plunge.

4. Pick the Right Area of Law

Some areas are harder than others to break into. For example, it is difficult to start a solo practice firm and immediately get a Fortune 500 corporate client. To get those clients, you usually have to have a prior history of success, a lot of gray hairs, and great relationship with in-house attorneys. On the other hand, the clientele in plaintiff's personal injury, criminal defense, bankruptcy, employment law, and family law (to name a few), are, for the most part, individuals who have never worked with a lawyer. They are not extremely picky. They are simply looking for someone who cares, who is competent, and who believes in their case. The moral of this story is that you need to know what your strengths and weaknesses are and whether or not the clients in your chosen area of law will identify with them. If so, they will want to hire you.

5. Build a Referral Network

Tell everyone you meet that you plan to start your own firm and what area of law you'll practice. Take practicing lawyers in that area out to lunch (BTW - they will usually pay for lunch because they feel sorry for law students) and ask them where and how they get their cases. Once you've met with some of these people a few times, and you've developed a real relationship with them, ask them to send you work when you get started. Most of them will be happy to do so.

You also need to network with people who don't practice in your chosen area of law. This is where most of your referrals will come from. For example, if you do criminal defense you need to get to know a few personal injury lawyers. Good PI lawyers don't do criminal law, but a small fraction of their clients have criminal legal issues. PI attorneys want to send that work to someone they know and trust. You want that person to be you. Also, if your jurisdiction permits it, pay a fair and reasonable referral fee to incentivize people to send work your way. Referral fees vary depending on the area of law so try to find out what is standard. Make sure you comply with the State Bar's ethics rules regarding referral fees.

6. Build a Website Immediately

Prospective clients judge you if you don't have a website. People looking for a lawyer don't use phonebooks, they use Google. Here is my employment website. I built the entire thing using WordPress (free) and pay about $70 a year to host it. That's it. This is powerful because it is my largest lead generation tool by far and costs about as much as a steak dinner. My good friend, Ian Silverthorne, who also graduated from Chapman and started his own law firm right out of school. He hired a guy who built his personal injury website. Hiring a competent web designer is key if you simply don't have the time or motivation to learn how to do the web stuff yourself.

7. Join Organizations and Listservs

When I settled on employment law as my chosen area, I found out about a fantastic organization called the California Employment Lawyers Association. This group of lawyers exclusively represents employees in workplace disputes. They have a listserv, which is basically an email address that you can email and every single member immediately gets your email. Personal injury lawyers have a similar organization, the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, that also has a listserv. I'm sure all areas of law have this type of organization. This is powerful because sometimes you need a question answered and don't have a mentor who can answer it. The community almost always has an answer.

It's important to note that these organizations are not just about the listserv - they connect you with individuals you can co-counsel with. When you are fresh out of law school, it is good to work a case with an experienced lawyer whom you respect. The relationship is beneficial because you split the fee with the experienced lawyer, but you also get to learn from their experience. It's a win-win.

8. Remember That Clients Don't Care About Your GPA, Law Review, or Age

This should give you confidence. No potential client has ever asked me what my GPA was in law school. Nobody has ever asked me if I was on Law Review. Nobody has ever asked me what my class rank was. Nobody cares how old I am. (I'm twenty-nine years old and I have plenty of clients more than double my age.) No one cares about that stuff except for other lawyers. None of that matters once you actually begin practicing. The only thing that matters is your work product. So work on that and everything else will figure itself out.

I have about five hundred other essential tips that I could share with you. But brevity is good in the practice of law, so I'll leave it at this: You can do it. You can do it even if you have mountains of debt, a growing family, a low GPA, or a dwindling bank account. Trust me, you can do it.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How I Started My Own Law Firm Right After Law School

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Starting a law firm is not for the faint of heart. Doing it right out of law school is downright insane (at least that's what the naysayers would have you believe). But I did it in a difficult economy with a difficult fee structure (contingency) and my practice is thriving.

# data[].attributes.body
(Video) With my major in hand and the LSAT taken, I can gain admittance to law school. Once done, I'll be able to finalize my educational pursuits.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Three main types of law degrees are available in the United States. The first degree students can enroll in is a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree program, which can be completed after three years of full-time study. The second law degree is the Master of Laws (LL.M.), and the third degree is the Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.).

Some J.D. programs may be combined with other master's degree programs in specific facets of law, business, or public policy, and these programs might last longer than three years. The first year of study focuses on basic topics, like international law, criminal law, and civil procedure. Second and third-year students may customize their education to reflect their interests, taking electives in such areas as tax and business.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Types of Law Degrees and Legal Studies Degrees

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Three main types of law degrees are available in the United States. The first degree students can enroll in is a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree program, which can be completed after three years of full-time study.

# data[].attributes.body
(Article) Once I earn my degree in Political Science or Pre-law (depending on which would help out the most), I will be able to take the final step.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Why Law? The Value of a Law Degree

A law degree expands professional opportunities

Lawyers continue to play an essential role in nearly every aspect of society, because every profession-and person-is affected by the law. Here are a few examples of specialized areas of law:

criminal prosecution & defense
intellectual property
environmental law
family law

entertainment law
sports law
international law
immigration

securities
civil litigation
labor & employment law
business law

While the economic recession has impacted all professions, professionals with a law degree have been less affected than those in other sectors of the economy. Law school can give its graduates a competitive edge because of their highly developed skills, which are transferrable to alternate careers. Here are some examples of careers that require legal knowledge:

labor negotiator
mediator
administrator of non-profit organization
investment banker
legislative/policy analyst
political strategist
financial analyst

management consultant
internet start up entrepreneur
legal researcher
court administrator
estate planner
financial advisor
real estate investor

hospital administrator
foundation grant officer
sports agent
lobbyist
legal correspondent
law enforcement

A law degree can provide you with the opportunity to make a real difference

The practice of law can be intellectually stimulating and provides many opportunities for effecting positive social change. Just read what these lawyers think of their own legal careers (taken from "Why I love being a lawyer," ABA Journal, February 2011):
"America is a society based on law and justice. I love the fact that I have a role in making this ideal a reality, however small."
Richard Granat
Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
A law degree...from the perspective of a federal judge

Morrison England is a federal judge on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California. When Legal Scholars asked Judge England about the importance of a law degree, he said:

Being trained in the law is a fabulous way to allow yourself to enter into many professions. While most think of an attorney as being in court every day, so many attorneys use their training in other ways. The opportunities for success are endless when one has legal training. Almost everything we do in today's world is affected by a law, rule or regulation. Companies both private and public as well as the government rely on those with legal training to be a part of government relations, human resources and international relations. In today and tomorrow's increasingly technologically driven world, these areas will be even more important.

I was fortunate to receive my undergraduate training [in pre-law] at the main campus in Stockton. The training and skills I received there were vital to my success in law school. I could not have asked for better professors, mentors and/or curriculum. I was also fortunate to attend law school at the Pacific McGeorge campus in Sacramento. In my opinion, there is no more beautiful physical plant for a law school in the United States. I received instruction from the top professors in the country, including Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy. To sum up, legal training from both Pacific and Pacific McGeorge is why I have arrived at this point in my legal career. I recommend the same path to anyone interested in a career in law.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Lawyers continue to play an essential role in nearly every aspect of society, because every profession-and person-is affected by the law. Here are a few examples of specialized areas of law: criminal prosecution & defenseintellectual propertyenvironmental lawfamily law entertainment lawsports lawinternational lawimmigration securitiescivil litigationlabor & employment lawbusiness law While the economic recession has impacted all professions, professionals with a law degree have been less affected than those in other sectors of the economy.

# data[].attributes.body
(Website) Going to college is almost the final step in furthering my education. Once I get my degree I'll be ready to move on.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
When you become a Lumberjack, you're joining a university family where individual experiences and identities are valued and woven into the character of the institution. Ready to become a part of it? We'd love to have you.

Apply today

Search for majors, minors, degrees, and certificates.

Learn in-person or online

The latest from our community

Land acknowledgement

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Northern Arizona University | Online, Bachelor's, Graduate | NAU

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
NAU focuses on providing a student-centered experience through distinguished programs led by committed professors. Find out more about all NAU has to offer now!

# data[].attributes.body
(Video) While I don't get stressed too often, I want to learn to deal with it better so when I do it doesn't get out of hand.

# data[].attributes.body
(Article) My GPA is something that gives me a great sense of pride and accomplishment. Maintaining it will help me get into the colleges I'm interested in.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
You're more than just a number. Marie Schwartz from TeenLife breaks down the GPA and explains why a 4.0 isn't all you need to get into college.

Everything teens do academically in high school affects their GPA (grade point average).

Colleges admittedly pay attention to a student's GPA when considering an admissions offer; however to what extent is often the question - and often different per school.

It is safe to say that if a student starts out strong academically and stays consistent through all four years of high school, his or her GPA could mean offers of admission from multiple colleges.

But how do colleges truly view the GPA? How much weight does it actually carry in the overall decision to offer admission?

Weighted vs. Unweighted GPAs

There are two ways to calculate a GPA. The traditional way to calculate a GPA is to give 4.0 points for an A, 3.0 points for a B, 2.0 points for a C, and 1.0 point for a D. Because this system doesn't allow for distinctions between grades, schools soon developed GPAs for + and - grades. An A- became a 3.67, a B+ a 3.30, a B- a 2.67, and so on. This is considered an unweighted GPA. Under this system, if you receive all A's, you'll have a 4.0 GPA.

With the introduction of the AP system, some high schools wanted to reward students taking these more challenging classes. So, high schools started to give higher points for AP classes. Commonly, an A in an AP class would now be worth 5.0 points rather than the traditional 4.0. Some high schools also started to use the same scale for honors classes. These are weighted GPAs. The weighting refers to the additional points, or weight, given for AP and honors courses.

This often poses a problem in the admissions process. For example, when a college gets a weighted GPA from a student at a particular high school, they then must compare it to the weighted or unweighted GPA from a different student at another high school. And with no uniformity in how the weighting is done, it is sometimes hard to tell if an applicant is a great student or a simply average student.

To solve this problem, many colleges have devised a method to standardize all of the GPAs they receive from students of different high schools. According to NACAC (National Association for College Admission Counseling), about two-thirds of high schools weight their GPAs for students who take college preparatory courses. To account for different grading scales among high schools, more than half of colleges recalculate applicants' GPAs to standardize them.

What Value Do Colleges Place on GPAs?

Parents and high school students are fascinated by the grade point average. They brag about them to other parents - the higher the better, affording more bragging rights. But the truth is that a number of colleges and universities are looking at more than the GPA.

USA Today recently interviewed some college admissions officers about GPAs and gathered some interesting responses. "It's meaningless," says Greg Roberts, admissions dean at the University of Virginia. The GPA is so unimportant to Swarthmore College that they don't bother calculating it for guidebook publishers.

Research consistently shows that a student's high school grades are the best predictor of their likelihood of success in college. Annual surveys by NACAC show that most admissions officials put a high priority on grades - particularly grades in college-prep courses. The GPA ranked fourth among important factors considered for admission.

You should rest assured that a student's GPA does not paint the entire picture of an applicant. College admission officers are looking for students who will make a positive impact on their campus, both inside and outside of the classroom.

The Bottom Line

The GPA is still a very useful piece of information used to measure success in the classroom but it is certainly not the only piece of information admission officers will look at while considering a student for admission.

Schools want to see students who have both challenged themselves in the classroom by taking a college prep curriculum, and made significant impacts in their communities through service opportunities, athletics, or leadership positions. Check out TeenLife for more specific extracurricular involvement ideas.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Importance of the GPA in College Admissions

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
You're more than just a number. Marie Schwartz from TeenLife breaks down the GPA and explains why a 4.0 isn't all you need to get into college. Everything teens do academically in high school affects their GPA (grade point average).

# data[].attributes.body
(Website) My job is a great way to meet this goal and get a car that I really want.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Chevrolet Cars, Trucks, SUVs, Crossovers and Vans

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Official Chevrolet site: see Chevy cars, trucks, crossovers & SUVs - see photos/videos, find vehicles, compare competitors, build your own Chevy & more.

# data[].attributes.body
(Article) Graduating high school is the next step to furthering my education.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Why is a high school diploma so important - especially in today's economy? Consider the following options: In today's downturned economy with high unemployment rate, prospective employees need all the credentials they can get in a highly competitive job market.